Tontines are a form of investment scheme that involves a group of individuals contributing to a pool of money. The funds are then invested, and the returns are shared among the participants. Synonyms for tontines include "rotating savings and credit association," "sou-sou," "stokvel," and "partnership." These terms are typically used in different cultural contexts, but they all describe a similar financial arrangement. Tontines have been used throughout history as a way to pool resources and provide financial support to members of a community. While they can be a risky investment strategy, they can also provide a sense of security and shared responsibility.